Celebrating International Women’s Day to Shed Light on Uniquely Female Issues

International Women’s Day is upon us and with it comes a powerful, global celebration of the social, cultural, economic, and political achievements of women. At EQUELLE, we want to open up a dialogue about menopause that will drive forward the cultural conversation around women’s health and empower women to feel and be their best during this transition. If there were ever a day to find that menopause group and talk about all those hot flashes, mood swings, hormones, and night sweats—it’s today.

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #EachForEqual. According to their site, this theme was chosen to help encourage women to "challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations, and celebrate women’s achievements.”1 All so that we can “help create a more gender-equal world.”1

Women in menopause face unique challenges to this goal. For example, 62% of women said the symptoms of menopause interfere with their quality of life.2 Add that to the list of things women must overcome in life (not to mention later in life), and it’s easy to see just how layered this fight for equality really is. Here are just a few ideas for how you and your tribe can inspire and encourage one another this International Women’s Day and every day.

Celebrate the women in your life

Is there a woman in your life who makes you feel loved, accepted, or inspired? Take her out for a treat for International Women’s Day or send her a quick text to let her know why you love having her around. We could all use a little extra encouragement, especially during menopause.

Spread the knowledge about your menopausal experiences

Everyone’s experience with menopause is different. Use this time to try opening up to others about your experiences, or even learn something new about women’s health issues related to life during and after menopause. Things like how women are more likely than men to go without care because of cost.3 Or how women who don’t have a regular clinician are less likely to get mammograms or talk to their clinician about mental health issues.3 All of these facts can help guide and motivate us to keep seeking menopause symptom solutions.

Engage new ways of staying educated

We live in an era of content. It seems like everywhere we look there’s a new show or podcast to tune into. Thankfully, this influx of content seems to also be giving women a platform to talk about how our hormones change as we enter into menopause, and the challenges that can present in our lives. International Women’s Day can be a fun reason to check out a new show, podcast, or blog to hear how other women are going through the change, or simply give yourself a little midday inspiration.

Get active with your besties

Regular exercise is helpful for all kinds of things from our heart to our brain health, but sometimes it can be hard to get motivated to get out there. International Women’s Day can be a good excuse to gather all your ladies together for an afternoon stroll or an early morning hike. Maybe try out tennis for the first time and play in doubles, if the weather’s nice. Or move around indoors with hot yoga or hot Pilates. Sharing a workout with friends can make it easier to stick to and easier to enjoy.

Celebrate the change

Getting together with your friends doesn’t have to always include exercise. Start or join a menopause support group to talk about what this change means for your lives. Some women even throw parties for their friends to celebrate their first full year without a period (talk about a cause for celebration). Set up a regular time to chat at your favorite wine bar or coffee shop to simply check in with one another. You never need an excuse to talk to your friends but going through menopause is as good a reason as any!

Find new forms of inspiration

There are a lot of women out there keeping busy during and after menopause, but they aren’t often given the attention they deserve. International Women’s Day is often a time when publications give space to showcase these incredible women and reading their stories sometimes can be both comforting and inspiring.

International Women’s Day may only formally be one day out of the year, but we can take time throughout the year as well to celebrate the women in our lives. Whether that means scheduling a regular brunch or hike or sending something as simple as a thankful text. Together, we can work to help create a more gender-equal world, or at least encourage one another to keep on thriving until we do.

Sleepy Lavender Chamomile Milk

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What Is Menopause, Exactly?

Feb 27, 2020

“Is it hot in here?” You say this with a chuckle the first time, because, ha ha, you almost sound like someone in menopause. Which wouldn’t be happening yet, right? You’re strong and healthy. Your big, nonstop life is as vibrant as ever. Tampons fall out of your purse while you’re looking for a pen. If you’re the only one who thinks it’s hot in here, well, that’s just a fluke.